Rs. 34 b worth narcotics seized in 3 yrs.

During the past three years, narcotics worth Rs. 34 billion had been seized in raids and detections, said Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake.

Large scale, small scale and varying types of drugs had been detected during this period, while local and foreign suspects arrested in connection with drug related offences stands at over 3000.

The Minister noted that the value of these drugs is around half the expenditure of the entire Police Department.

He said the government is adamant to break the local drug ring that is operating in connivance with international drug rings.

While the government has taken all possible measures to address this issue, it has joined hands with the security forces, intelligence forces, Dangerous Drug Control Board, Customs, Excise Department, Government Analysts Department, Anti Tobacco and Cigarette Authority, Attorney Generals Department and the Presidential Task Force to Control Drugs in collaboration with international organizations and intelligence networks, to eradicate the drug menace.

The Minister pointed out that if all these institutions join together, the drug operations could be disabled, adding that the government together with international intelligence networks are engaged in disabling the narcotics network.